Are you planning a trip to New York and wondering where to start, well you are in for a ride because we are here with the top-rated Hidden Gems in NYC. The Big Apple is full of famous landmarks, from the beautiful Statue of Liberty to the glitz of Times Square.
New York is one of the best places you can visit when you are in the United States, also it is one of the most unique places which has plenty of tourist spots. Besides being known around the world for its most iconic spots. It is full of undiscovered treasures just waiting to be discovered. Not just conventional attractions, the New York Hidden Gems are scattered throughout the whole city which will provide the most authentic worthy experiences you're in for.
Our guide’s aim is to shed light on these top rated and hidden vacation spots, which are going to encourage both travelers from every season and also the first time visitors to navigate the city like a local rather than a tourist. Discovering hidden gems in New York offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see beyond the city's gleaming exterior, to experience its vibrant culture, and to understand its original history. Off the beaten path, avoid the bustling tourist crowds, and prepare to discover a side of New York City that even many of its residents are unaware of. Here are 11 of the hidden gems in New York.
Discover The Hidden Gems in NYC
So, are you ready to explore the road not taken? In the following list below, you are going to find some of the most unique and top-rated hidden gems in New York. From one-of-a-kind museums to unforgettable important sites,, the incredible places to visit in New York with family and friends.
1. The Noguchi Museum
This amazing gem is hidden away in such a peaceful and quiet part of Long Island City, the Noguchi Museum is such a magical place if you simply want to get away from the noise of the city since this museum is all about the sculptures of Isamu Noguchi, who was basically a Japanese-American. It is one of the best ways to remember the artist’s remarkable life and his work. So, once you walk into the museum, you will see airy galleries and you will see a carefully chosen collection of Noguchi’s work.
The museum is going to show you all the different kinds of creative art, from all his unique sculptures as well as the amazing designs it is truly a unique thing to do in NYC when you visit there. The museum has a sense of selectness because it is one of New York's lesser-known hidden gems. You will be able to enjoy the work without being bothered by loud crowds which gets a bit annoying when you enter a museum. You must take advantage of this one-of-a-kind chance to see how talented Noguchi actually is. Let his most artistic vision help you understand the whole of cultures that live in New York.
2. Fort Tryon Park
We are well aware of the fact that people always forget about Fort Tryon because of Central Park, but it is truly a beautiful park in New York City. This park is in Manhattan’s Hudson Heights and Inwood areas. The fact is that it has well-preserved gardens with around 500 different kinds of trees, and plants as well as the shrubs and around 8 miles of paths with the prettiest views of the Hudson River and the Palisades.
3. The High Bridge
The High Bridge is the most beautiful New York City's oldest standing bridge, and it is known for its architecture that many tourists miss visiting. This walkway for people is outstanding and hangs high above the Harlem River, which is an adventurous thing to do in NYC and it will give you the best view of the city, you are going to love it. Aqueducts like the Old Croton Aqueduct system was also built. The Romanesque arches on the bridge are a true reminder of how good New York has been at engineering in the past.
When you add in the park facilities and the cultural events that happen nearby all year, the High Bridge becomes a great place to visit for fun, culture, and history. One of the best-hidden gems in New York all around. That experience will change the way you see and experience New York City forever.
4. Secret Garden of Rockefeller Centre
The Rockefeller Center is a huge building that is home to many famous New York City sights, such as the Radio City Music Hall, the Top of the Rock and a remark deck, and the NBC studios. The Secret is one of the best places in Rockefeller Centre, but many people are not aware of it and it is must see places in New York.
You can easily rent this peaceful area for events like weddings, birthdays, etc. It is part of the 620 Loft and Gallery building at 650 5th Avenue and has such an outstanding view of St Patrick's Cathedral and Midtown Manhattan. The first Spider-Man was shot in this very location. The public cannot freely access the space, which is a shame. But in order to see the garden, you will have to get a job or set up a meeting at the Tishman Speyer office across the street, which has a view of the gardens.
5. Roosevelt Island Smallpox Hospital Ruins
The Roosevelt Island Smallpox Hospital Ruins is basically one of the most interesting hidden gems in New York. The Roosevelt Island Smallpox Hospital Ruins are filled with history as well as mystery, and they will give you a very unique look into New York City's past.
You will be able to learn more than just history at the Smallpox Hospital Ruins. The idea behind them is basically to show you New York City in a whole new way. The ruins make you stop and think about the city's strong spirit through their atmosphere and historical significance. You will have a much deeper understanding of New York City's lesser-known stories and hidden depths after reading about this extraordinary place.
6. The Cloisters
Fort Tryon Park is just full of surprises and it is known for its greenery, without a doubt the Cloisters stand out as a place of peace harmony, and art. This part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art is basically all about art and architecture from the Middle Ages in Europe. It stands out against the city's sleek, modern skyline and feels like a welcome trip back in time. The museum's building is one of the best modern takes on European monasteries from the Middle Ages because it holds lots of medieval artifacts, as well as tapestries, and illuminated manuscripts which is a must-see.
The Cloisters is exciting because it has a lot of unexpected contrasts. In the middle of a busy city, the best shopping destination in New York there is an island of medieval peace. It makes you want to learn more about an underappreciated time in art history and enjoy the passive beauty of its gardens. A trip to The Cloisters is like going on a trip into a lost world. It will help you learn more about the city's culture.
7. The Elevated Acre
The Elevated Acre is a secret place of peace and nature tucked away among the tall buildings of the Financial District. This rooftop garden is extremely busy on Wall Street and is a pleasant surprise in a place that is usually associated with business rather than peace and quiet. The best things to do in New York are a lush landscape with well-kept lawns, colorful flower beds, and a small amphitheater playing out here against the backdrop of the city's most famous buildings. Relaxing here with the city skyline at your feet changes the way most people think of New York and leaves an indelible mark on their minds of the city's many charms.
8. City Reliquary Museum
The City Reliquary Museum is a compliment to the past and present of New York City. It is located in the middle of Williamsburg. This hidden gem in New York City is just a love letter to the city, with a strange collection of artifacts on display. Old tube tokens and pieces of famous buildings tell the story of the city in a very surprising way.
Here, you can see into the heart of the Big Apple and appreciate its past and present through the things that still stand from its journey. The City Reliquary Museum gives visitors a close-up look at the city, making it an important stop for anyone who wants to get to know New York's real spirit.
9. Green-Wood Cemetery
Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn is a National Historic Landmark that has an interesting mix of history, art, and nature. With the final resting places of many famous people, this large cemetery holds stories from hundreds of years ago.
This peaceful area of the city makes you want to stop, think, and enjoy the stories that have made the city's colorful textiles. With its rich history and natural beauty, Green-Wood Cemetery is a moving reminder of the city's past, its constant change, and the people whose lives have shaped its path.
10. Snug Harbor Cultural Centre & Botanical Garden
Without a doubt, Snug Harbor Cultural Centre is one of the most incredible hidden gems in New York City along with well-kept beautiful gardens. You will witness on the north shore of Staten Island there is the Snug Harbour Cultural Centre & Botanical Garden which is such a lively cultural center which has such a beautiful background. The amazing fact is that this land used to be a home for sailors who were done with their careers.
The fun of Snug Harbour is that it can give you a lot of different experiences which combine the history as well as the culture, and nature in such a way which will take you away from all the chaos and noise of the city. In simple words, it will show you a different side of the city than the fast-paced image most people have of it.
11. New York Transit Museum
So basically, the Brooklyn subway station there is no longer used it, and the New York Transit Museum will give the visitors the most unique look at the city’s history. It will give you plenty of amazing information regarding the city’s subways, bridges, tunnels, and buses. It also shows the progress of how the network has made a huge impact on the growth of the Big Apple.
There is an outstanding collection of old tube cars at the New York Transit Museum, each is going to show the different times of public transport’s history in New York. When you will step into the well-preserved cars, they will take you back in time and you will experience the history of the amazing city through its evolution.
Through these amazing interactive shows, the visitors are going to experience how the city's transport system actually works but also learn about the engineering feats and operational challenges that simply go into making it work. The museum is fun and educational for people of all ages. The New York Transit Museum is simply more than just a collection of the city's best well-kept cars. It's also a sign of the city's firm progress and drive for connectivity and new innovative ideas. You learn a new appreciation for the city's daily beat, its architectural skill, and the complicated network that moves millions of people every day as you tour this underground gem. By learning about the history and difficulty of New York's transit system, you can better understand the city's pulse, its strength, and its never-ending movement.
